Through my career I have assisted many people, patients, family and friends, through times of great stress. As a R.N. who is also educated in stress management, I first identify and acknowledge the patient and her stressors. Empathy for her problems and situation in life become the first step in dealing with stress. This is a process that could be resolved within hours or days or weeks. Next is formulating a plan with the goal of resolving the stressors or problems that are causing this extreme stress.
Many times, the person suffering the stressful life changes is a woman who has no emotional and/or financial support to help her meet the daily requirements of mothering children and “making ends meet.” Usually, her problems have been building up for some time until she feels “the last straw” and can’t cope with another complication. This is exhibited in several ways.
As a nurse, I usually see these ‘stressed out’ patients while in distress with physical complaints of pain or duress. They are emotionally in great pain without the skills or opportunity to assuage the crisis they find themselves in.
I follow the treatment plans using psychiatric nursing and family nursing principles. We solve problems for the immediate crisis that is causing extreme stress. This is followed by intervention with ancillary assistance so that the patient can gather her own thoughts and regain control over her daily life. This process can take hours, days or extended periods of time. Usually, psychological treatment begins and guides the patient through the remainder of her crisis intervention.
I have had my own periods of extreme stress during which I had no assistance toward recovery. The feelings of loneliness and desperation are overwhelming and hinder recovery from stress. However, the intervention of well-meaning, well-trained professionals or loved ones can make the difference in recovery vs/ misery and continued stressors in life.